If you aren’t talking with your pets about Poisons, who is? March brings a whole slew of poison possibilities, as we decorate our homes with lilies, children get chocolate from the Easter bunny, and we try to keep little mouse families from taking up residence in our homes. But do you know what to do in case your cat or dog eats something it shouldn’t?
The first thing you need to know is to KEEP THE PACKAGE from what your pet ate. This is particularly important when it comes to solvents, cleaners, pesticides, fertilizers, etc. They vary so greatly that without package information, it will be hard to know how best to treat your pet.
Second, put the Pet Poison Helpline telephone number in your cell phone, on your refrigerator, or in that drawer of “important stuff” so you can find it when you need it quickly. They can be reached 24/7 at 855-764-7661. Please know, they charge an initial fee for this call, typically around $50, but will give you a case number that can be used for future calls regarding this case and this information will be necessary for your veterinarian or emergency clinic.
Third, know the most common household poisons for cats and dogs, so you have an idea of whether there is going to be a problem. The Pet Poison Helpline has some terrific lists of the Top 10 Pet Poisons, Top 10 Plants Poisonous to Pets and the Top 10 Human Medications Poisonous to Pets. They also have excellent tips on poison-proofing your home for your pets!